A/HRC/45/8 example in Brazil, the Special Mobile Inspection Group, which is tasked with investigating allegations of forced labour, has reportedly significantly reduced its operations, while vulnerability to labour exploitation and abuse has been increasing, including for migrant workers employed on coffee farms.86 Around half of the cases detected by that agency in 2019 involved Venezuelan refugees and migrant workers,87 who are among those severely affected by the health and economic crisis, not only in their home country but also in Brazil.88 12. Impact on those in slavery-like situations pre-COVID 19 60. COVID-19 has exposed pre-existing systemic gaps in social protection and justice systems, including with regard to identification and prosecution of contemporary forms of slavery, despite commitments made by States to meet target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.89 Many Governments are overwhelmed with responding to the crisis, which may further delay the adoption or implementation of anti-slavery measures. For example, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the National Referral Mechanism reported a 14 per cent decrease in the number of victims reported between January and March 2020.90 The Government emphasized that that was the first decrease recorded since 2016 and that it was likely to be a result of the COVID-19 related restrictions. Similar trends were recorded in other countries.91 61. Furthermore, reports indicate a wider global trend where the provision of services to survivors of contemporary forms of slavery has been disrupted as a consequence of the pandemic. At the same time, slavery-like practices have continued and the precarious situations of the victims and survivors are further compounded by health risks, deteriorating economic hardship, increasing isolation, adverse impacts on mental health, and the inability to access assistance.92 62. Civil society organizations were quick to find creative solutions to reach their beneficiaries, despite the lockdowns. Many switched to online services and remote support, which may have been helpful for some victims and survivors. However, in most countries, many were unable to receive legal advice, psychosocial assistance or continue their education and training owing to insufficient access to technological devices and to the Internet.93 63. Repatriations of individuals who have been subjected to trafficking in persons to their countries of origin have also become increasingly challenging owing to obstacles with planning safe routes home for the survivors, in addition to the closure of national borders implemented by a large number of States.94 64. While demand for assistance in accessing shelter, psychosocial and medical care and food security has been increasing, 95 civil society organizations, who are the primary providers of these services, are concerned that funding might be diverted elsewhere. As a 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Information received from civil society organization ADERE, Brazil; and submission from Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, p. 20. UNODC, TRACK4TIP supports Brazil’s Special Mobile Inspection Group of the Division of Inspection for the Eradication of Slave Labour (DETRAE) in its celebration of 25 years in the fight against slave labour, 4 June 2020. UNHCR, “Brazil Operation: COVID-19 response” (May 2020), p. 1. Available at https://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/C19%20Brazil%20External%20Updates%20May%2020 20%20FINAL.pdf. Submission from ECPAT UK. Submission from United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Submission from Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Submission from Rights Lab. Submission from Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Ibid. Submission from Rights Lab. 13